Ask "The Garage Sale Millionaire"

To eBay or not to eBay, that is the question. eBay trades over One Billion dollars in auctions every year. That’s a B as in a BILLION. The number one question that people always ask me is, is eBay safe? I always say that eBay is as safe as you make it and the way to make it safer is preparing yourself before you buy. People consistently get caught up in the excitement of buying without first doing their research, resulting in people not getting what they want or getting items that are down right worthless. People have complained that have purchased fakes, reproductions and damaged goods. To be a smart eBay consumer these are the things you must consider before you buy.

1. Find out what collectible it is you want and do your research. Explore books and or magazines on the relevant topic.
2. Set up an account with PayPal. PayPal is the #1 way people transfer money on eBay. Make sure your PayPal account is attached to your credit card and NOT your bank account. This gives you a second layer of protection and more recourse if the product you receive is not satisfactory. If you receive a damaged or misrepresented item you can go back to your credit card company and dispute the validity of the purchase. Only do this if you have already tried to reason with the Seller.
3. Always check the Seller’s eBay member feedback. This is the number located on the right hand side of the Seller’s name. Click on this link to see what other buyers have to say about the particular Seller. If there is poor or little to no feedback, do NOT buy from this Seller.
4. Now, go and find the collectible you would like to purchase. When you find it make sure the Seller has several good pictures. This means an image of the front, the back, and close-ups of signatures or significant parts of the collectible. If the pictures are not satisfactory, contact the Seller and ask for more pictures and information.

These are some simple and quick tips to make sure that your eBay experience is nothing other than great. However, do understand that eBay is addicting; make sure that you set a budget and if you miss out on a collectible keep in mind that there will be many more to follow. Remember to always do your research and have a great time in the wonderful new world of eBay.

Aaron LaPedis is the owner of Fascination St. Fine Art and can be seen on PBS channel 6 and is the author of a new book “The Garage Sale Millionaire”. Please contact at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .